Wednesday, September 26, 2012

"COTTAGE FLOWERS'" FLIMSY

"Cottage Flowers" is to the flimsy stage now. I sewed all the rows together yesterday. I am pleased with the end result.

I so like the colors and fabrics I used for this quilt. Muted shades and from a variety of lines of fabric. All were in stash except for the pink plaid used for the setting triangles and border. I used Rit Tan Dye to darken the pink plaid a bit and I like the end result. We have a front load washer and I didn't think you could dye in one. I did the dye process in the kitchen sink and it hurt my arms and back trying to do that much yardage. I have since found instructions on the internet on how to do it in a front load washer and I would try it that way in the future for a bigger piece of fabric.

The second set of applique blocks I made from the same pattern are on their way via the mail to a friend who will make her own quilt. I enjoyed making the blocks so much, I would make a third set!

I forgot to mention that the pattern used was in the book "Simple Pleasures" by Alma Allen and Jan Patek.

44 comments:

Wow! What a brave girl you are to dye the fabric! I've learned how to do Rit Tan Dye thing in the workshop by Blackbird Designs a few years ago, but haven't tried the method yet as I'm not in totally confident :O Yours looks fabulous!!! I didn't see this project like this when you got started back in July. What is the block size? I will have to find this book! lol Thanks for a beautiful inspiration as always :)))

I love this quilt Karen, it's so beautiful. I dug around the other day and found my pattern after I saw your wonderful progress. Much to do before I can start mine, but I think it is definitely going on my 'someday' list after seeing yours.:)

Lovely muted shades throughout your quilt. Those blocks are very pretty...I tea dye in large empty (cleaned LOL)glass jars...and I tear my yardage in half the long way...then crunch it up accordion style into the jars: tea or coffee is all I've used--maybe a few cinnamon sticks or pieces of walnut shells...I really like those pinky triangles --just perfect Julierose

That is the prettiest quilt! Beautiful flowers! I love the pink plaid! Love that you dyed it a bit, but sorry it was so much work. I also saw the beauty that you did for Mary. Very nice collaboration you two!

I really like the fabric you used as backing for the appliqued flowers. I like the directional look of those blocks... not vertical, not horizontal. Love it already. It's going to look fantastic when it's quilted!

You have been a very busy girl, I just saw the quilt you finished for Quilt hollow and it looks awesome and then to do another. you are amazing. Love this one too, what wonderful talent you have and so productive you are amazing

Karen - As someone who started quilting only a few years ago, I am so happy that I happened upon your blog a few weeks ago. I absolutely love all of your quilts. They are a source of hope & inspiration to me. It is difficult when starting out to know what colors and scale of pattern to select for each project. Your quilts make the process seem very organic and not forced or over-thought (even though I can tell you are very selective about your fabrics). Your quilts are charming and timeless. I just thought I would tell you how much I enjoy your quilts and that you have a lot of useful knowledge that new quilter are soaking-up. It is reassuring to see that you are still learning new things after 20+ years. Hope you quickly recover from dying all that yardage in the sink. Sometime it would be nice to hear what the thought process is that you go through in selecting the colors and fabrics to use in a project.